The Outsiders has challenges and opportunities galore, and it's made the banned books list for a host of reasons. It's full of blood, guts, gangs, language, underage drinking, ad teen pregnancy (though acknowledged in such a round-about manner that it's easily missed), violence, and smoking. Lots of smoking. Everyone smokes.

The book was written decades ago, which means that some of the language is muted by today's standards, and the blood, guts, and gangs isn't gory or overly excessive—most kids have seen worse on TV. And everything that could lead to the book being challenged and/or banned also makes for great discussion without sermonizing: Do these things add to characters' quality of life or detract from it? You can opens up the floor for students to debate issues and come to conclusions themselves—conclusions you'll likely be quite pleased with.